Thursday, October 21, 2010

A new feature on the CSR-books blog will be author interviews. I have two great interviews lined up and will be interviewing more CSR authors so that we can get real insight into what goes into the making of a great CSR book. To get things rolling, I thought I would interview a CSR author I know quite well, haha, ME! (but don't worry, the future ones will be a little more serious!)

Elaine, you refer to CSR for HR as a wake up call for the HR profession. Wouldn't it be easier to recommend they buy an alarm clock?

CSR for HR is actually an HR alarm clock.It's the kind that makes you wake up even though you didnt know you were asleep. The HR function lives in blissful ignorance of the potential of CSR to advance HR strategy, business objectives and HR's own positioning at the decision-making tables. This book should encourage a new perspective for HR professionals.

Elaine, what qualifies you to write about the HR function? After all, your main expertise is Sustainability Strategy and Reporting.

By the time you get to my age (30 plus a lot of something), you may well have experienced several professions. Indeed, I worked for many years as a Supply Chain Manager with P&G, and for many years as a country VP for HR with Unilever, and for years as a Division Manager in a private trading company. This was prior to me moving my focus to sustainability strategy and reporting. Over 8 years managing HR in a sustainability-minded company like Unilever is more than enough to provide a strong appreciation of the HR-CSR issues that arise. Also, I did lead the local Human Resources Society for some years, including work on defining the HR body of knowledge for HR professional certification, which involved me in much discussion with HR functional leaders. Finaly, as a consultant , I work with many HR managers. I think that cuts it.

Elaine, who do you want to read CSR for HR?

You. Haha. HR practitioners, CSR practitioners, academics, business managers. I deliberately wrote the book in story-telling style so as not to make it too burdensome for busy people. What is more important, though , is that those who read it will make or influence change in the way the HR function works in businesses. That's my message. Change the way HR contributes.

Elaine, why is CSR for HR unique?
I believe CSR for HR is the only book to have been published on this subject. There has been much written about engaging employees in environmental issues, and several papers about HR and CSR, but I believe this is the first book that covers this subject so comrehensively. It is also written from the standpoint of an HR Manager, through her eyes, addressing the questions, doubts, occasional cynicism, struggles and uncertainties that HR managers have when thinking about CSR. I hope that HR Managers will be able to identify with this.

Elaine, how much Chunky Monkey did you consume whilst writing this book?
Hmm, doesn't that count as a trade secret ? Let's put it this way. When I write another book, I will consider intra-veinous supply of Chunky Monkey.

Elaine, when will we be seeing your next book?
Great question! Glad you asked that! Yes, I have many books that I want to write, now that I have a taste for it. I have one which I have started mapping out and hope to work on this during 2011.

Elaine, thank you so much for this interview. I hope EVERYBODY reads your book!